By Joann Farrell Quinn,
of "Due Cani Cellars"

As a Pinot Noir producer, I am without a doubt a bit biased about what type of wine I like. People often ask me what my favorite wine is, and outside of saying 'mine,' my first response is usually 'Pinot Noir.' And that is basically true, although I often back this right up with a statement about how I am an equal opportunity drinker, and I am open to any and all varietals- even those obscure many that I have not yet come across. All kidding aside, I enjoy a nice glass of wine, no matter what the varietal or region from which it hails. That does not mean that I appreciate all styles and all varietals equally, but I do believe that you should taste first and spit later.

There are so many times that I have been at a tasting, either pouring my own wine or simply as a guest, and heard someone refuse to try a wine because 'they don't like XXX.' Fill in the blank- this could be red, white, Chardonnay, Cabernet, etc. I am always disappointed when I hear something like this. As with food, I am open to try just about anything. (Not quite as open as say, Andrew Zimmern, but pretty open...)

If you shy away from trying things, you will never know what you may really enjoy. And frankly, even if you think that you do not like a certain varietal, you may be surprised that even a single varietal can display significant variations between wines. For instance, Chardonnay can be produced in a very light, crisp style, or a heavier, buttery, oaked style. If you do not taste some different styles of the same varietal from different producers and different regions, you will miss out on these differences and limit yourself.

My advice is to taste everything and use the spit bucket! That is what it is there for. At the next party or tasting- give yourself an opportunity to explore what could be your new favorite wine.

JFQuinn (aka "Joann Farrell Quinn") is an independent journalist and publisher, the owner of "Due Cani Cellars", and a blog contributor to VinVillage.com